My dress was between $500-$600 and I absolutely love it. (pardon the other bride to be in the background). I am sure that choosing a dress without lace and beading really helped to keep the price down - luckily I have simple tastes, so I didn't want those things. Another way to save money is to find a bridal store in the area that provides a little less service. Where I live there are 2 stores (45 minutes drives to each, but worth it) that don't require appointments and don't give you a personal assistant. The dress shopping expereince may not be as nice, but the price ends up being cheaper. And if you can manage to go on a day during the week there is no one else there so you end up getting the personal attention anyway.

As for a TTD - I had initially wanted a second dress because what girl doesn't want a second wedding dress? Then I decided that the pictures would be much more meaningful if it was THE wedding dress instead of another pretty white dress. Yeah - I might not be able to swim well, but my fiance has been warned that it is his job to not let me drown. One thing I read from a bride previously married at my resort is that she had her dress dry cleaned after her TTD but while still at the resort so she didnt' have to bring a wet dress home. She said it cost $85 - which is cheaper than I could get it done at home.

Thank you...it is Allure 8705. For those ladies that haven't started shopping yet - please think about your budget before you even decide which bridal shops to go to. If you go to a shop with expensive dresses you are almost guaranteed to fall in love with a gorgeous designer dress. But if there is no way you can afford that dress, then please don't put yourself through the heartbreak. The expereince of a champagne service bridal boutique just isn't worth it if you end up in tears.

My dress was between $500-$600 and I absolutely love it. (pardon the other bride to be in the background). I am sure that choosing a dress without lace and beading really helped to keep the price down - luckily I have simple tastes, so I didn't want those things. Another way to save money is to find a bridal store in the area that provides a little less service. Where I live there are 2 stores (45 minutes drives to each, but worth it) that don't require appointments and don't give you a personal assistant. The dress shopping expereince may not be as nice, but the price ends up being cheaper. And if you can manage to go on a day during the week there is no one else there so you end up getting the personal attention anyway.

As for a TTD - I had initially wanted a second dress because what girl doesn't want a second wedding dress? Then I decided that the pictures would be much more meaningful if it was THE wedding dress instead of another pretty white dress. Yeah - I might not be able to swim well, but my fiance has been warned that it is his job to not let me drown. One thing I read from a bride previously married at my resort is that she had her dress dry cleaned after her TTD but while still at the resort so she didnt' have to bring a wet dress home. She said it cost $85 - which is cheaper than I could get it done at home.

Thank you...it is Allure 8705. For those ladies that haven't started shopping yet - please think about your budget before you even decide which bridal shops to go to. If you go to a shop with expensive dresses you are almost guaranteed to fall in love with a gorgeous designer dress. But if there is no way you can afford that dress, then please don't put yourself through the heartbreak. The expereince of a champagne service bridal boutique just isn't worth it if you end up in tears.

So amazingly well put!!!!!! It is so important to stay within your means as there are gorgeous dresses out there to suit a variety of budgets!!!!!

Originally Posted by clgriffi7

Thank you...it is Allure 8705. For those ladies that haven't started shopping yet - please think about your budget before you even decide which bridal shops to go to. If you go to a shop with expensive dresses you are almost guaranteed to fall in love with a gorgeous designer dress. But if there is no way you can afford that dress, then please don't put yourself through the heartbreak. The expereince of a champagne service bridal boutique just isn't worth it if you end up in tears.

I ordered my dress today I can't believe I 1) made a decision 2) ordered my dress!!!!! I mean i was inevitable but it just makes it so real!!!! As for budget, It was $1295 and we got $100 off for purchasing today so $1195 and I LOOOOOOOOVE it!!!!!!! It is actually the sweetheart version of the first dress I tried on EVER and loved so it is P-E-R-F-E-C-T for me!!!!!!!!!! Best of luck to all the Brides who haven't found the one yet!!!!!!!!

I don't really have a limit for the dress budget, but I'm not really all that into it. I'll probably just find one for like under $300. The dress isn't all that important to me. I definitely want to look good, but I can't fathom spending thousands of dollars for a dress I will wear for a couple of hours EVEN if it is for my wedding day. I'd rather spend that kind of money on something else like excursions during the honeymoon!

I am so curious as to where people are finding $300 dresses, I would have liked to stay there but found it impossible around here!!! Good luck and I can't wait to see what you choose!!!!!

Originally Posted by Jnadair

I don't really have a limit for the dress budget, but I'm not really all that into it. I'll probably just find one for like under $300. The dress isn't all that important to me. I definitely want to look good, but I can't fathom spending thousands of dollars for a dress I will wear for a couple of hours EVEN if it is for my wedding day. I'd rather spend that kind of money on something else like excursions during the honeymoon!

This is really the best advice I've ever heard... And then I didn't follow it. I had originally budgeted 1500 for the dress but in reality I could spend more if necessary. I found a Jim Hjelm today that I have had my eye on for quite some time (I'm talking years). The store had that exact dress out of their relatively small dress selection. I thought it was fate so I decided to try it on despite it's 3500 dollar price tag. MISTAKE. I have the ablitiy to spend the money on it, I'm just becoming overly budget conscious because I just don't want to blow a bunch of money on the wedding. With some reallocating of budget I can get it and stay within the overall wedding budget pretty well (give or take a couple hundred), but I'm getting cold feet on it and can't decide. Any other bridal advice? Is the cold feet a sign of it not being the one. I did tear up when I tried it on, but can't decide!

Originally Posted by clgriffi7

Thank you...it is Allure 8705. For those ladies that haven't started shopping yet - please think about your budget before you even decide which bridal shops to go to. If you go to a shop with expensive dresses you are almost guaranteed to fall in love with a gorgeous designer dress. But if there is no way you can afford that dress, then please don't put yourself through the heartbreak. The expereince of a champagne service bridal boutique just isn't worth it if you end up in tears.

what about oncewed? or ebay? my brother's wife bought her dress on the latter, it had been worn once, but it was a designer original, and she even sold it after she wore it! I think it's a shame dresses are worn for such a short amount of time, and lots of brides out there have purchased only to change their minds. not sure if either of these options would be acceptable to you, but just in case they're a possibility... : ) best of luck!

Originally Posted by bruceg05

This is really the best advice I've ever heard... And then I didn't follow it. I had originally budgeted 1500 for the dress but in reality I could spend more if necessary. I found a Jim Hjelm today that I have had my eye on for quite some time (I'm talking years). The store had that exact dress out of their relatively small dress selection. I thought it was fate so I decided to try it on despite it's 3500 dollar price tag. MISTAKE. I have the ablitiy to spend the money on it, I'm just becoming overly budget conscious because I just don't want to blow a bunch of money on the wedding. With some reallocating of budget I can get it and stay within the overall wedding budget pretty well (give or take a couple hundred), but I'm getting cold feet on it and can't decide. Any other bridal advice? Is the cold feet a sign of it not being the one. I did tear up when I tried it on, but can't decide!